Using Extractor in After Effects darkens the render

[suzanne_doherty]

Hello,

When I use Extractor in After Effects it darkens the image.

I have tried various settings in After Effects for color, interpret footage, file settings, etc, but nothing works.

I'm trying to extract the effectsResult layer, but it happens on other layers too.

Am I missing something?

Cheers,
Dean

[hermit.crab]

Indeed, the Extractor plugin seems to be previewing Raw. Try activating the "Linearize working color space" option in the Project Settings > Color. Quoting what it does:

Working Color Space (sRGB IEC61966-2.1) will be linearized (modified to have 1.0 gamma). This affects all pixel-blending operations, including blending modes, image re-sampling, and motion blur. A linear Working Color Space more accurately reflects how colors blend naturally and may correct halos and fringing when high-contrast saturated colors are blended together.

This seems to resolve it without the need to add an Exposure Effect to correct the Gamma.

[Pixelcon]

It's a gamma thing. Put an exposure/levels effect after the extractor effect and set the gamma to 2.2

[suzanne_doherty]

It's a gamma thing. Put an exposure/levels effect after the extractor effect and set the gamma to 2.2

Yea I tried that too, and also adjusting with curves. I can get it close to the original, but not identical. Plus I want a quick way to grab the effectsResult without too much hassle.

I am rendering with the "save VFB corrections to render elements" because I want to lens effects and filmic tone mapping, which I know may mess with colormapping and gamma.

It's just frustrating that if I open the exr in photoshop using OpenExr plugin, I can take the EffectsResult layer without needing to hack around.

[Pixelcon]

Hrm. Yeah I guess it's something to do with the filmic tone mapping layer... You might be able to make a LUT from your layer stack and load that into after effects...

[suzanne_doherty]

Hrm. Yeah I guess it's something to do with the filmic tone mapping layer... You might be able to make a LUT from your layer stack and load that into after effects...

Yea maybe.

However I think it could be an After Effects thing, as photoshop can display the layers without any issues.

Maybe there's a way to automate Photoshop to extract a single layer of a multi layered png. Sadly I dont have Nuke or Fusion, so I can't try these either.

[hermit.crab]

Sounds like color management differences. How do you manage colors in your host platform and in After Effects? Make sure the Working Color Space in AE's Project Settings (File>Project Settings > Color) matches the ones used with V-Ray.

[suzanne_doherty]

Sounds like color management differences. How do you manage colors in your host platform and in After Effects? Make sure the Working Color Space in AE's Project Settings (File>Project Settings > Color) matches the ones used with V-Ray.

I use 3D Max and Vray CPU. Standard Gamma 2.2 workflow.

I've tried all kinds of setting in AE, but it never looks correct. I know that even though I'm using EXRs, they have limited range as I'm saving the VFB adjustments into the render, but it's just the Extractor effect that isn't working as I'd expect.

[hermit.crab]

Indeed, the Extractor plugin seems to be previewing Raw. Try activating the "Linearize working color space" option in the Project Settings > Color. Quoting what it does:

Working Color Space (sRGB IEC61966-2.1) will be linearized (modified to have 1.0 gamma). This affects all pixel-blending operations, including blending modes, image re-sampling, and motion blur. A linear Working Color Space more accurately reflects how colors blend naturally and may correct halos and fringing when high-contrast saturated colors are blended together.

This seems to resolve it without the need to add an Exposure Effect to correct the Gamma.

[suzanne_doherty]

Indeed, the Extractor plugin seems to be previewing Raw. Try activating the "Linearize working color space" option in the Project Settings > Color. Quoting what it does:



This seems to resolve it without the need to add an Exposure Effect to correct the Gamma.

That worked! Thank you!

Just attaching a screen shot in case anyone else has this in the future....